Steve Ditko Spider-Man Comic Book Co-Creator has Died at 90

On 29th June, we said goodbye to one of the greats comic Artists, Steve Ditko, who co-created Spider-Man and Doctor Strange. It’s always an absolute heartbreak when one of our supreme heroes passes away. They’re the inspiration of why we do what we do and create what we create. Steve Ditko, a fantastic and overwhelmingly brilliant artist and writer, died in New York City at the age of 90, The New York Police Department confirmed his death to The Hollywood Reporter. Ditko had created some of the popular characters which are still known to this day.

In a statement, Marvel Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada said, “Only a small group of individuals can claim that they have effected and redefined not just an industry, but popular culture worldwide. Steve Ditko was one of those few who dared to break molds every time his pencil and pen hit a blank sheet of paper. In his lifetime he blessed us with gorgeous art, fantastical stories, heroic characters and a mystical persona worthy of some of his greatest creations. And much like his greatest co-creation, Steve Ditko’s legend and influence will outlive us all.” President Dan Buckley added, “The Marvel family mourns the loss of Steve Ditko.”

Ditko worked for armed forces newspaper as he joined in the military after WWII. After his military service finished, he got on his journey to become a proficient comic artist. With his unbelievable talent and passion, he tiled the way to making cartoons as far out as possible and never stopped for a second. Ditko had worked with Jerry Robinson, Batman artist and co-creator of Robin and the Joker. He also went to school at the Cartoonists and Illustrators School, now known as SVA (School of Visual Arts) in New York. After that, he did some outclass work in the world of comics.

In 1961, Ditko and Lee created Spider-Man. Lee the chief editor at Marvel Comics, gave a task after he wasn’t pleased with Jack Kirby’s take on the idea of a teen superhero with spider powers to Ditko. The look of Spider-Man, costume, the web-shooters, the red and blue design all was created by Him. Spider-Man first appeared in Amazing Fantasy No. 15 and it was an absolute hit.

He created the unreal and psychedelic hero, Doctor Strange in 1963. The character appeared in Strange Tales No. 110, and he continuously worked on the comic through issue No. 146 which happened till July 1966. After that he left Marvel Comics over a fight with Lee and the cause was not explained. In 1967, he formed Mr. A, based on the idea he then created other characters such as Hawk and Dove, The Queen and the Creeper.

He worked on Machine Man from Jack Kirby in 1979 recurring to Marvel but was also working for Pacific Comic. He was operational for them as an outworker in the 1990s. His last formation was Squirrel Girl in 1992, which has become a trendy choice in recent years.

Tom Holland, who has played Spider-Man in three movies since 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, remembered Ditko on Twitter Saturday, writing, “We all want to leave our mark on the world – this guy crushed it. He made so many people so happy and changed lives – most of all, mine! Thank you Steve – your life lives on man, thank you.”